Antonio Cassano and His Rumored Move to Juventus: End the Madness and Move On

It's been a busy week for the Italian media and Sampdoria forward and captain Antonio Cassano.

Not only have the pundits completely run wild with Italy boss Marcello Lippi leaving Cassano off the most recent Azzurri squad, but the continuous link of the forward with a move to Juventus just doesn't seem to go away.

Cassano is without a doubt one of the best players in Italy and since his arrival at Samp, he has been simply outstanding. No matter where you stand on whether he should be called up to Lippi's squad, there's no denying he is one of the best talents Italy has to offer.

However, that doesn't mean he is needed in Turin.

I've dealt with this subject once before, but the question still remains — why exactly are Juve declaring their interest in yet another forward?

It's not breaking news that the Juve management is on the hunt for a player that can take them to the next level not only in Serie A, but also to compete for the Champions League title. The funds have been set aside for a world-class player and all signs point to Juventus making serious noise in the summer.

But the problem is, if Cassano were brought in, he would be another player at a position that is already stacked.

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini summed it up perfectly. "He would be a fifth striker and it'd mean changing the tactical system. Antonio has great quality, but he would only be reinforcing an already exceptional group with David Trezeguet, Amauri, Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta."

Giorgio, we thank you for speaking the absolute truth. Five top-flight strikers if Giovinco is included in that and another striker is needed?

I just don't see it happening. It's hard enough trying to get a rotation going with the current crop of goal scorers.

So if his attitude is already perceived to not be the best, despite his good behavior this year, how would he act if he is buried behind the likes of Del Piero, Amauri, or Trezeguet?

It's just the wrong move in a summer that is so vitally important to try and recapture the quality that was Juventus before the demotion to Serie B.

As any move for one of the top players in any league, it won't be cheap. And considering how important Cassano is to the Samp attack and team overall, his price won't be easy to negotiate.

Sampdoria's asking price for Cassano isn't as high as compared to other players Juve have been linked with, but that doesn't mean he's going to come at a small price either. The Juve management has money to spend and from what it seems like, a good amount of it.

If Cassano were to be bought, basically buying another player who would play a bigger role would certainly be ruled out. That means no security in case Mauro Camoranesi can't shake his recent string of injuries, no defender to be brought in to either pair with Chiellini or play on one of the wings.

There are just some many more important pieces to the puzzle than bringing in yet another forward in to the squad.

Despite the fact that this move makes no sense in terms of who is already on the roster, the rumors won't die down.

Now it's understandable that it's just the nature of the Italian press to just pick up a name and run with it. Look at how they have treated the whole Juve and Diego situation the past year and change. It seems as though every week the Juve staff is either going to Germany or some kind of contract agreement has been reached.

However, there has to be some method to this madness.

While Juve's management has declared they are looking at Cassano as a possible transfer target, there are certainly better options and more pressing needs out there.

So please, Alessio Secco and Giovanni Cobolli Gigli, drop the talk of Cassano. You're not only giving fans headaches, you're also allowing that oh-so-creative media to run wild.